What is certification of correction?

A certification of correction is a statement filed with HPD by a property owner to affirm that the violation conditions cited on a Notice of Violation have been corrected within the legally required timeframe. Certifi cation is free but must be submitted within the time stated on the Notice of Violation to be effective. There is no fee for a certifi cation that is submitted to HPD within the required timeframe.

How are violations classified?

When an HPD inspector determines that a violation condition exists, the Inspector issues a Notice of Violation. Violations are classifi ed as non-hazardous (class A), hazardous (class B), or immediately hazardous (class C), based upon the seriousness of the condition.

What is the timeframe for correction of each class of violation?

The timeframe for correction of each class of violation is indicated on the Notice of Violation. The following table provides details of classification of violations and their correction timeframes.

Violation Type	Class	Correction Class Date
Class A	Non-hazardous	90 days from HPD's mailing of the NOV
Class B	Hazardous	30 days from HPD's mailing of the NOV
Class C	Immediately Hazardous	24 hours from HPD's mailing of the NOV
Class C Lead-Based Paint	Immediately Hazardous	21 days from HPD's mailing of the NOV
Class C Heat/Hot Water	Immediately Hazardous	24 hours from posting at building

How can I have violations removed from HPD's records when the conditions have been corrected?

If your building is validly registered with HPD and the violations were corrected within the required timeframe, you can certify the violation as corrected. Certification of correction of a violation can be accomplished either online or by mail. You can register for eCertification to certify violations online or you can complete the back side of the paper Notice of Violation and mail it to HPD. Below you will find instructions for both methods of certification. If the condition was corrected after the corrected date indicated on the Notice of Violation or you do not submit a certifi cation within the certifi cation period indicated on the Notice of Violation, you must either fi le a Dismissal Request and pay a fee, or determine whether you qualify for violation re-issuance (which will give you another chance to certify the violation as corrected).

eCertification

a. How can I certify correction of violations online?

First, your building's Property Registration must be current. Property Registration is required by owners of multiple dwellings to file an annual property registration statement with HPD. Owners of private dwellings (one- and two-family dwellings) where neither the owner nor any family member occupies the dwelling are also required to fi le an annual property registration statement. Registration forms and additional information may be obtained from HPD's website (www.nyc. gov/hpd), all Borough Code Enforcement offices or by calling The Registration Assistance Unit at (212) 863-7000.Second, you must be the named owner's officer, or managing agent of the building in order to enroll in eCertification. Enrollment requires you to create a login and password. The only information you will need to supply at the time of enrollment is a telephone number that will be answered by a live person and an e-mail address. The enrollment form and instructions can be accessed at: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/owners/compliance-clear-violations.page. You will need to mail in a signed enrollment form.

Once HPD receives a valid enrollment, an owner, officer or agent will be able to start certifying violations online immediately by simply logging on with their login ID and password and selecting the violations to be certified.

A secure one-time password sent via telephone or e-mail to the enrolled person will verify the online certifi cation transaction and add your electronic signature information to the certification.

b. How long does it take before my enrollment will be activated so I can begin certifying online?

In addition to any time allowed for mailing, HPD should be able to process your enrollment in 5 business days.

c. What if my enrollment application is rejected?

You will receive an email notifying you of this, and the reason for rejection. You will have an opportunity to create a new form and re-submit.

d. How many persons can enroll to certify violations per building (can an owner, officer and a managing agent all enroll to certify)?

Only one person per property listed on the registration form can enroll to certify correction of violations online.

e. What if I own multiple buildings? Can I enroll once and certify violations for all of my buildings?

No. Each property requires a separate enrollment application.

f. Who can I contact regarding the status of my enrollment or if I have questions about the enrollment process?

The eCertification Administrative Enrollment unit at (212) 863-5414.

g. Do I have to renew my enrollment every time I submit a property registration?

No. You only are required to renew your enrollment if the 24 confidential number and/or if the name listed on the enrollment application is no longer listed on the newly submitted registration form.

h. If I enroll for eCertification will I stop receiving the NOV in the mail?

No.

i. Why can't I certify lead violations online?

Certification of lead violations requires supporting documentation that the online system does not accommodate, such as dust clearance test records and affi davits.

j. What information is needed to eCertify a violation?

i. Building address

ii. Violation number(s) for certification

iii. Date the condition was corrected

iv. Name, address and telephone number of the person who corrected the condition (contractor, superintendent, you).

You must be able to answer the enrolled phone number or receive the enrolled e-mail at the time you are processing the certifi cation in order to “sign” your eCertification document.

k. What happens if I submit a Paper Certification AND an online eCertification?

The eCertification system will only display violations which have not previously been electronically. In case a user submits a Paper Certification and later goes online and eCertifi es the same violation, the first certifi cation received will be the Certification of record.

l. What if I need a hard copy to prove that I eCertified a violation?

You should always save an electronic copy of the final submitted eCertifi cation. However, you would be able to go to an HPD borough office to request a certified copy of an eCertifi cation document.

m. Will I receive a letter confirming that I submitted an eCertification?

No. You will only receive a confirmation window during the process. HPD encourages you to save and print a copy of the eCertification for your records.

n. How can I verify that violations I eCertify are removed from HPD’s records?

After a violation is certified, HPD has up to 70 days to inspect and verify that the violation was properly corrected. If HPD does not conduct an inspection within the period, the violation will be 'Deemed Corrected' and closed after 70 days. You may check the status of the violation at anytime by visiting our website at www.nyc.gov/hpd

o. What are the penalties for falsely certifying a violation?

In addition to subjecting owners to civil penalties, making a false certifi cation is a crime punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. The Housing Maintenance Code provides for the imposition of civil penalties and, in a criminal prosecution, a fi ne of up to $1,000.00 and/ or imprisonment for up to a year for willfully submitting a false statement.

Paper Certification

How can I submit a paper certification?

You receive two copies of the Notice of Violation. The front side of both copies is the same. The back side of one of the copies contains an instruction page, and the back side of the other copy is the Certifi cation of Correction. You can also download correction of violations forms at www.nyc.gov/hpd. Follow the instructions to complete the Certifi cation of Correction.

a. Complete all sections of the Agency copy of Certification of Correction of Violation(s) form.

i. County information

ii. Name of individual certifying correction of violation(s)

iii. Title of individual certifying correction of violations(s)

iv. Notice of Violation (NOV ID) Number

v. Violation/Item Number

vi. Date Corrected

vii. Name of Agent or Employee who performed work

viii. Address of Agent or Employee who performed work

ix. Signature and telephone number of certifying individual

x. Notarize signature signed on form

b. The Agency copy must be hand delivered to HPD or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the office of the Division of Code Enforcement in the borough in which the building is located, on or before the Certifi cation Date provided on the Notice of Violation(s) and be properly completed in order for your certification to be valid.